{"id":11222,"date":"2024-07-25T12:05:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T16:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.nejm.org\/hiv-id-observations\/?p=11222"},"modified":"2024-07-25T12:05:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T16:05:00","slug":"lenacapavir-prep-trial-brings-down-the-house-at-the-international-aids-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.nejm.org\/hiv-id-observations\/index.php\/lenacapavir-prep-trial-brings-down-the-house-at-the-international-aids-conference\/2024\/07\/25\/","title":{"rendered":"Lenacapavir PrEP Trial Brings Down the House at the International AIDS Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, at the 2024 AIDS Conference in Munich, we experienced one of those thrilling moments you always hope for when attending a scientific conference.<\/p>\n

Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, speaking on behalf of the study investigators, presented the data on the PURPOSE-1 study of HIV prevention using twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir; results were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

The results originally made headlines when the study was halted by the external independent data monitoring committee in June — some examples:<\/p>\n

Twice-yearly Injection Fully Protects Women from HIV<\/em>
\nNew Drug Provides Total Protection From HIV in Trial of Young African Women<\/em>
\nLencapavir Shows 100% Efficacy and Zero Infections in HIV Prevention<\/em>
\nBeginning of End of HIV Epidemic?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Certainly, all of us at the conference knew the results before yesterday’s presentation of the data. Regardless, when the results slide flashed on the screen, highlighting zero infections in the lenacapavir arm<\/em>, there was spontaneous applause from the thousands assembled in the cavernous convention center:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How could we help ourselves? Several attendees today reported to me they had tears of joy. At the end of the presentation, there was a standing ovation — one given not just to Linda-Gail for her excellent summary, but also to the other study investigators, the participants, the sponsor, and the scientists who have made so much progress in HIV prevention that we can only rejoice.<\/p>\n

There’s a lot to commend about this clinical trial, it’s hard to know where to begin, but here’s a partial list:<\/p>\n